The die is cast and Super Eagles players have all resolved to redouble their efforts to win the AFCON trophy today.
While charging his team on positives, attitudes, and right mentality, coach Jose Peseiro told the players he desires the trophy more than them.
He reminded them of the love Nigerians have shown the team since they arrived in Abidjan. The Super Eagles remain the biggest team the Portuguese coach has handled.
He had only previously handled two lowly-rated national teams – Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Peseiro’s other jobs were being assistant to other coaches and handling clubs in the fourthtier Portuguese league.
As a player, he was a secondtier striker in Portugal and he said in an interview on UK’s Sky Sport: “I did not play at a high level.” His coaching career took a turn after promotion to the top flight with Nacional. A job offer that set him on a different trajectory. Legendary Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz made him his assistant at Real Madrid in 2003. That was Jose Peseiro’s biggest moment.